2009 Bmw M3 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
45 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
4,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 39 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 20 of 45 complaints (44.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 24 | 53.3% |
| Engine operation | 9 | 20.0% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 11.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 8.9% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 20 |
| Air Bags | 8 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 20; Air Bags: 8; Electrical System: 5; Engine: 4; Power Train: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 1; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 27 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 27; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (27). 6 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 23 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2009: 23; 2010: 5; 2011: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 2; 2016: 7; 2017: 3; 2018: 1; 2020: 1; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 24 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 9 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10257666 · 2009-02-06 (February 6, 2009)
MY 09 BMW M3 WITH DCT IS EXHIBITING GEAR SHIFTING SLOWNESS AND POWER LAGGING PROBLEMS AFTER HARD BRAKING. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT WAS A NEAR REAR END COLLISION TODAY THAT REQUIRED ME TO BRAKE HARD FROM 70MPH, TO 40, SWITCH LANES AND ACCELERATE TO AVOID BEING HIT BY APPROACHING TRAFFIC FROM BEHIND. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND FOR WHAT SEEMED LIKE A COUPLE SECONDS. THE LAG WAS LONG ENOUGH THAT THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS FORCED TO LEAVE THE ROAD TO AVOID HITTING ME. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10257666 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10257975 · 2009-02-08 (February 8, 2009)
IN THE 2009 BMW M3 SEDAN WITH DCT (DUAL CLUTCH) TRANSMISSION, THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT LAG OR HESITATION OF AT LEAST 1 SECOND BETWEEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CLUTCH ENGAGING AND GIVING ACCELERATION TO THE WHEELS. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN FROM A STAND-STILL, BUT OCCURS PRIMARILY WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION AT VIRTUALLY ALL RANGES OF SPEED, FROM ROLLING STOP (5KM/HR OR LESS) THROUGH STANDARD ROAD SPEEDS OF ANY DEGREE (RESIDENTIAL 30-40KM/HR, CITY ROADS 50-70KM/HR, OR HIGHWAY 90KM/HR+). I WAS CAREFULLY IN THE MIDDLE OF A SLOW LEFT TUR…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10257975 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10264299 · 2009-04-06 (April 6, 2009)
WHEN TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS TO 2ND GEAR, SUDDEN AND COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHEN TURNING. HAPPENS WITH DCT TRANSMISSION WITH LATEST SOFTWARE. MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON BMW MESSAGE BOARDS, AND BMW IS BASICALLY IGNORING US. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10264299 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10267248 · 2009-04-29 (April 29, 2009)
ON MY 2009 BMW M3 WITH DCT TRANSMISSION, THERE IS A NOTICEABLE LAG AFTER BRAKING WHEN YOU TRY TO ACCELERATE WHILE IN AUTOMATIC(D). THIS IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO PULL OUT OF AN INTERSECTION. THE CAR HAS NO POWER AND SITS THERE LIKE IT'S THINKING. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT. BMW NEEDS TO GET A FIX TO THIS SOFTWARE GLITCH. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1,150 miles reported. Look up ODI 10267248 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10265523 · 2009-04-15 (April 15, 2009)
ON A 2002 BMW 325I TAIL LIGHT SOCKET OVER HEATS DUE TO IMPROPER GROUNDING AND BURNS OUT. CAUSES THE TAIL LIGHT AND BLINKERS TO MALFUNCTION. DEALERS CHARGING UPWARDS OF $600 (EACH SIDE ) TO FIX THE WIRING THAT CERTAINLY IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10265523 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10560764 · 2014-01-21 (January 21, 2014)
400 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAULT WARNING BEGAN TO COME ON. WHEN THIS HAPPENS ALL GAUGES BOTTOM OUT QUICKLY THEN RETURN TO NORMAL. SOMETIMES, THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM, EDC OR OTHER WARNINGS WILL START. I DON'T EXPERIENCE ANY PROBLEMS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED AND ALTERNATOR HAS BEEN TESTED AND IS PERFORMING AS IT SHOULD. WHEN CONNECTED TO THE BMW COMPUTER FOR ERROR CODES IT DOESN'T SHOW ANY CODES OR THAT THE WARNINGS HAVE GONE OFF. I HAVE DRIVEN IT FOR 18000 MILES TRYING TO FIND JUST ONE COMMON THI…
Owner-reported narrative. 50,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10560764 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10285960 · 2009-10-01 (October 1, 2009)
I WAS DRIVING ON A SIDE ROAD AT THE ALLOTTED SPEED LIMIT., I WAS ON A SINGLE LANE ROAD. I THEN WENT OVER A POTHOLE- NOT A HUGE CRATER. AFTER WHICH MY STEERING WHEEL BECAME CROOKED AND THE DSC FAILURE WARNING ON MY BMW CAME UP. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER SHIP AND THEY SAID THAT I HAVE DAMAGE TO MY REAR SUB FRAME(BENT), I APPARENTLY HAPPENS UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CIRCUMSTANCES-THE COST FOR REPAIRING IS 4000$. IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. IT LOOKS LIKE TO AVOID THESE INCIDENTS I SHOULD NOT BE DRIVING ON ROADS - AS I WAS NOT S…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10285960 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10273913 · 2009-06-15 (June 15, 2009)
WE WERE DRIVING OUR 2009 BMW 335I ON FWY 5 SOUTH AT ABOUT 65 MPH , THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANE. IT SPUTTERED AND STALLED REPEATEDLY, WE HAVE TO DRIVE REALLY SLOW TO GET HOME, NEXT DAY I GOT IT IN AUTHORIZED DEALER, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP CONTRIBUTED TO THE FAILURE. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED THIS HAPPENED TO MY 2 TIMES , THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE PROBLEM COULD CAUSE ACCIDENT IF WE IN A MID OF PASSING OTHER CAR ON FWY . THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD REQUIRE BMW RECALL ALL VEHICLES WITH THIS PUMP,TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10273913 at NHTSA ↗